Brilliant Bevan leads the way as leaders are stunned

LLANDYSUL slipped to joint third in division one of the South Wales Cricket Association after they lost by 66 runs at Gowerton.

Llandysul opted to bowl first. The hosts got off to a positive start and had 45 on the board before Lee Nicholas (27) was dismissed. Bevan Daniels (86 from 100 balls including 12 fours) and Marvel Biju (32) then put on 105 in 20 overs for the second wicket.

The dismissal of Biju to a brilliant one-handed catch, caught and bowled by Ieuan Paske, saw the innings stutter, with five wickets falling for 39 runs.

Daniel Allen (29no) and Christopher Mason (19) re-established things with a 37-run partnership and with a flurry of runs coming in the final over, the hosts closed on 246-7, with Rhidian Harris (229), Paske (2-39) and Arfon Jones (2-52) the successful bowlers.

In reply, the visitors got off to the worst possible start with the dismissal of Bleddyn Morgan caught and bowled by Mason to the second ball of the innings.

Wickets fell steadily until the dismissal of Gary Williams (21) left them 88-5 in the 22nd over.

A 52-run partnership between Paske (46) and Steffan Jones (25) gave the visitors hope, but the run out of Jones saw Llandysul subside to 180 all out due to the leg spin of Tom Clarke (3-32) and the pace of Callum Eakins (2-19).

Llanelli thrashed Skewen by 184 runs. Home skipper Iwan Rees blasted 103 in 122 balls, including 12 fours, as the hosts rattled up 266-7 in their 50 overs.

Rhys Harris’s 54 helped keep the scoreboard along. Alex Rowlands (3-48) was the only bowler to take more than one wicket.

Skewen’s reply was soon in trouble at 8-2, and regular wickets saw them slump to 82 all out in 33.4 overs, Callum Davies topscoring with 27. David Richards took 4-29, Jac Rees 2-14, Emily Janas 2-19 and Iwan Rees 2-17.

Llangennech chalked up a five-wicket success at bottom side Maesteg Celtic.

Llan restricted Celtic to 161-8 in their 50 overs, Matthew Rogers top-scoring with 45 as Michael Jones (2-36), James Taube (2-30) and Simon Clement (2-28) got among the wickets.

Skipper Taube was the mainstay of the Llan reply with 70, and 42 not out from Nathan Jones saw them to 162-5 in 38.4 overs. Morgan Griffiths took 3-15 off 10 overs.

Morriston won a thriller at Drefach in division two.

They recovered from 59-5 to make 209-9 in 50 overs, Aihsan Akhtar their top scorer with 34. Harry Mcbryde took 3-49.

Dafydd Humphreys (37) and Neil Harris (44) gave Drefach every chance of victory, and with Billy Mcbryde (22no) still at the crease a win was possible, but the Gwendraeth side fell just short, their final wicket falling on 204.

Greg Handley took 3-33 and Graeme Morris 3-51.

Margam (208) beat bottom side Felinfoel (158) by 50 runs.

Liam Lewis (59) and Sean Curran (51) starred with the bat for Margam, Craig Richards (4-37) and Chris Bowen (3-12) doing their best to stop them.

Andrew Thomas (39), Rhys Harries (33) and Isaac Thorne (28) gave the chase a good go, but the Llanelli visitors subsided in 42.2 overs. Michael Bond took 6-24.

In division three, Gowerton’s second XI lost at leaders Merthyr by 198 runs.

Jack Rhodes (44) and Greg Murphy (36) gave the hosts a strong base and an undefeated 200-run partnership between Andrew Murphy (106no) and Blaine Harris (100no) saw them post an imposing 370-4. Only James Cable with 1-39 escaped punishment.

Gowerton slipped to 31-3, with Andrew Lewis (3-37) a handful for the early order. Ethan Harris (41), Dai Roberts (31) and Shane Nicholas (26) gave the visitors respectability before they were dismissed for 172.

Murphy followed up his undefeated century with 3-43.

In division eight, Gowerton’s thirds enjoyed an 85-run victory over Pontyberem Seconds.

Batting first, the hosts’ total of 202-6 was founded on a second century of the season for James Gardiner. He was well supported by Lee Cobley (38) and Rhodri Phillips (26no).

In reply, the Barrett brothers Joe (3-16) and Tom (1-15) had the visitors reeling at 29-4. Sion Nicholas (44) steadied the ship, but Luc Picton (2-30) and Rob Hopkins (4-7) saw the visitors bowled out for 117.